Operation Beautiful
It’s no secret that after my son was born I struggled with getting myself back to what I considered normal. The “Momover” has been going on for over two years, and while I have made some progress (slightly flatter stomach, better posture, decent jeans) there are still days when I long for the physical body I had ten years ago.
What I have learned is that I have the power to change my body, but only to a certain point. And then I have to accept my new version of normal. On the days when I am cool with this new normal, I can embrace things I might otherwise dismiss. I can be thankful that I am physically able to do everything I do and that my body didn’t completely go downhill after becoming a mother.
Other days, it’s harder to accept the current me. Even when I try to look at myself in the mirror without criticizing my body. Even when my husband tells me I look good. So when I first started reading Caitlin Boyle’s book Operation Beautiful, I was a little skeptical. After all, the cute childless author is more than ten years younger than I am. She is a trim triathlete who has never, to my knowledge, had a baby. Where does she get off writing a book on feeling good about yourself?
As it turns out, like most women, she too has struggled with body image and unhealthy habits. But what began as a simple positive message for herself has grown into an international movement of women uplifting each other.
Operation Beautiful is filled with stories from women of all ages and backgrounds about how a single post-it note with the message “You are beautiful” actually made them feel beautiful and want to pass it along to others. Her message is that beauty comes from within and should not be defined by the images of women we see in magazines. We are all beautiful in a unique way. A talent for playing guitar that brings a smile to tho
se who listen. An ability to write a story in a way that makes it become the reader’s story. A gift for caring for others… especially our own children.
Inner beauty is something I have always wanted. Operation Beautiful reminded me that I already have it, and so do each of you. So I wrote my own personal message as a reminder of my inner beauty and am passing that note along to all of you. My beautiful readers.
xo
Ps. Leave a comment for a chance to win your own copy of Operation Beautiful!
Yum. I’m grinning ear to ear. Also, forgive me if you already know about this, but have you heard about the Blogger Body Calendar? http://bloggerbodycalendar.com/
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August 30th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
What a coincidence! Just read Alex’s post. Wow.
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Do not want to enter the contest. I don’t do contests. But this message of self-acceptance and peace with the you that is now?
That is awesome and beautiful.
Thanks, you.
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I try to fight the years of media saturation when I look at myself. I know what they do to get magazine covers and it’s not normal. I’ve actually gotten better as I’ve gotten older, but it’s a conscious decision every time I look in the mirror. Some days I’m better at it than others.
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Self acceptance is what its all about. Sometimes it takes a while to get there.. but when you do, its great.
Love the new look btw !!
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I’m so glad you posted this! I’m definitely gonna have to buy this book! I struggle with my appearance every day…i know i should make better choices with the type of food i intake and portion control…i always forget about my inner beauty…thanks for the reminder!
by the way, I think you have an awesome body, and if mine were to ever look like you before I had a kid I would be stoked!!!
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August 31st, 2010 at 2:20 pm
I might print this and tape it to my mirror- you are too sweet.
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well, i’ve certainly seen some serious beauty and talent on this blog, so yeah you got it, baby!
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My dear, sweet Carrie! I have always been in awe of not just your obvious beauty on the outside, but more so, of the tremendous beauty that you have on the inside. You are an amazingly loving and giving friend and an awesome mother.
Thank you for this entry, as I too, have struggled with my body image since I was a child and continue to this day. Learning to love myself, both inside and outside, has certainly been a lifetime journey. Thank you for the reminder to focus more on my inner beauty and not on the superficial. Love you!!!
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Just saying hello from another 2011 Dream Team member. Wishing you tons of success!
Lynda
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September 3rd, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Thanks for stopping by!
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[…] am thrilled to announce that Elly Lou of Buggin Word will be the recipient of her very own copy of Operation Beautiful . Elly was selected via Random.Org, but her winning disproves the theory of randomness. Her […]